Information processing system, information processing device and method, recording medium and program

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an information processing system, information processing apparatus and method, recording medium and program, adapted to swiftly recording a program matched to preference information. A user apparatus  3 - 2  registers generated preference information, together with the information representative of its destination of provision, to a server  2 - 1  through a network  1 . The server  2 - 1 , when registered with the preference information, notifies a user apparatus  3 - 1  as its destination of provision. The video recording/reproducing unit  11  of the user apparatus  3 - 1  accesses the server  2 - 1  through the network  1  and designates preference information desired for scheduling of recording. The server  2 - 1  sends the designated preference information to the video recording/reproducing unit  11  through the network  1 . The video recording/reproducing unit  11  receives this and carries out scheduling for recording on the basis of the preference information. The invention is applicable to a hard-disk video recorder.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information processing system,information processing apparatus and method, recording medium andprogram, and more particularly to an information processing system,information processing apparatus and method, recording medium andprogram, adapted to obtain preference information easily and swiftly.

BACKGROUND ART

It has been conventionally proposed to automatically picture-record theprogram (televised program) thought of as the taste of a user by use ofuser's preference information (e.g., see Patent documents 1 to 7).

In the inventions described in these Patent Documents 1 to 7, thepreference of a user is analyzed from the history of televised programsactually viewed by the user, to automatically record the programs to thetaste.

Patent Document 1

JP-A-11-134345

Patent Document 2

JP-A-11-345446

Patent Document 3

JP-A-2000-13708

Patent Document 4

JP-A-2000-287189

Patent Document 5

JP-A-2001-160940

Patent Document 6

JP-A-2001-298677

Patent Document 7

JP-A-2001-86420

However, the inventions described in the Patent Documents 1 to 7 involvethe problem that it takes time in getting user's preference information.Resultingly, there is a problem that the program of taste could not beswiftly picture-recorded by

Meanwhile, no considerations have been made as to the exchange ofpreference information between users.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, made in view of such situations, aims at makingit possible to swiftly picture-record, by scheduling, a program met withpreference information.

The information processing system of the present invention is aninformation processing system configured by a first informationprocessing apparatus, a second information processing apparatus forexchanging information with the first information processing apparatusand a third information processing apparatus for taking control ofinformation exchange between the first information processing apparatusand the second information processing apparatus, that are connected to anetwork, the first information processing system characterized in that:the first information processing apparatus comprises acquiring means foracquiring preference information about a to-be-aired program based on apreference of a user on the first information processing apparatus; andfirst transmitting means for sending, together with the preferenceinformation, a destination-of-provision the preference information is tobe provided to the third information processing apparatus through thenetwork; the second information processing apparatus comprises receivingmeans for receiving the preference information the first informationprocessing apparatus causes the third information processing apparatusto register, from the third information processing apparatus through thenetwork; the third information processing apparatus comprisesregistering means for registering the preference information sent fromthe first information processing apparatus through the network; andsecond transmitting means for sending the preference informationregistered to the second information processing apparatus through thenetwork in the case the second information processing apparatus is thedestination-of-provision.

The first information processing method of the invention is aninformation processing method for an information processing systemconfigured by a first information processing apparatus, a secondinformation processing apparatus for exchanging information with thefirst information processing apparatus and a third informationprocessing apparatus for taking control of information exchange betweenthe first information processing apparatus and the second informationprocessing apparatus, that are connected to a network, the informationprocessing method for information processing systemcharacterized inthat: the information processing method for the first informationprocessing apparatus includes an acquiring step of acquiring preferenceinformation about a to-be-aired program based on a preference of a useron the first information processing apparatus; and a first transmittingstep of sending, together with the preference information, adestination-of-provision the preference information is to be provided tothe third information processing apparatus through the network; theinformation processing method in the second information processingapparatus includes a receiving step of receiving the preferenceinformation the first information processing apparatus causes the thirdinformation processing apparatus to register, from the third informationprocessing apparatus through the network; the information processingmethod in the third information processing apparatus includes aregistering step of registering the preference information sent from thefirst information processing apparatus through the network; and a secondtransmitting step of sending the preference information registered tothe second information processing apparatus through the network in thecase the second information processing apparatus is thedestination-of-provision.

The first information processing apparatus of the invention ischaracterized by comprising: first acquiring means for acquiringpreference information about a to-be-aired program based on a preferenceof a user; second acquiring means for acquiring destination-of-provisioninformation specifying a destination-of-provision the preferenceinformation is to be provided; and providing means for providing thepreference information acquired by the first acquiring means and thedestination-of-provision information acquired by the second acquiringmeans, to another information processing apparatus.

The providing means sends and registers the preference information anddestination-of-provision information to first another informationprocessing apparatus of the other information processing apparatusesthrough the network, and causes the first other information processingapparatus to provide through the network the preference information tothe second other information processing apparatus of the otherinformation processing apparatuses defined by thedestination-of-provision information.

The first acquiring means may start to acquire preference informationabout a to-be-aired program depending upon a user's operationrepresenting a preference of a predetermined program.

The user's operation representing a preference of a predeterminedprogram may be an operation of scheduling for recording or protection.

The first acquiring means may acquire information of a preferencekeyword, genre, airing time zone and broadcast station extracted fromdetail information of the program depending upon the user's operationrepresenting a preference of a predetermined program, as preferenceinformation from broadcast program information.

There may be further comprised of receiving means for receiving thebroadcast program information from a broadcast station through abroadcast radio wave or from the server through the network.

The second acquiring means may acquire the destination-of-provisioninformation in plurality.

The second information processing method of the invention ischaracterized by including: a first acquiring step of acquiringpreference information about a to-be-aired program based on a user'spreference; a second acquiring step of acquiringdestination-of-provision information specifying adestination-of-provision the preference information is to be provided;and a providing step of providing the preference information acquired bya process of the first acquiring step and the destination-of-provisioninformation acquired by a process of the second acquiring step, toanother information processing apparatus.

The program recorded in a first recording medium of the invention ischaracterized by including: a first acquiring step of acquiringpreference information about a to-be-aired program based on a user'spreference; a second acquiring step of acquiringdestination-of-provision information specifying adestination-of-provision the preference information is to be provided;and a providing step of providing the preference information acquired bya process of the first acquiring step and the destination-of-provisioninformation acquired by a process of the second acquiring step, toanother information processing apparatus.

The first program of the invention is characterized by causing acomputer to execute: a first acquiring step of acquiring preferenceinformation about a to-be-aired program based on a user's preference; asecond acquiring step of acquiring destination-of-provision informationspecifying a destination-of-provision the preference information is tobe provided; and a providing step of providing the preferenceinformation acquired by a process of the first acquiring step and thedestination-of-provision information acquired by a process of the secondacquiring step, to another information processing apparatus.

The second information processing apparatus of the invention ischaracterized by comprising: access means for accessing anotherinformation processing apparatus through a network; receiving means forreceiving preference information about a to-be-aired program from theother information processing apparatus accessed through the network;storage means for storing the preference information received from theother information processing apparatus; and scheduled recording meansfor recording the program by scheduling, on the basis of the preferenceinformation stored by the storage means.

There may be further comprised of first acquiring means for acquiringdesignation information for designating a predetermined piece ofpreference information from a plurality of pieces of the preferenceinformation received from the other information processing apparatus;and transmitting means for sending the designation information acquiredby the first acquiring means to the other information processingapparatus through the network; whereby the receiving means receives thepreference information sent from the other information processingapparatus through the network and corresponding to the designationinformation sent by the transmitting means, and the storage means storesthe preference information corresponding to the designation informationsent by the transmitting means.

The third information processing method is characterized by including:an access step of accessing another information processing apparatusthrough a network; a receiving step of receiving preference informationabout a to-be-aired program from the other information processingapparatus accessed through the network; a storage step of storing thepreference information received from the other information processingapparatus; and a scheduled recording step of recording the program byscheduling, on the basis of the preference information stored by aprocess of the storage step.

The program recorded in a second recording medium of the invention ischaracterized by including: an access step of accessing anotherinformation processing apparatus through a network; a receiving step ofreceiving preference information about a to-be-aired program from theother information processing apparatus accessed through the network; astorage step of storing the preference information received from theother information processing apparatus; and a scheduled recording stepof recording the program, on the basis of the preference informationstored by a process of the storage step.

The second program of the invention is characterized by causing acomputer to execute: an access step of accessing another informationprocessing apparatus through a network; a receiving step of receivingpreference information about a to-be-aired program from the otherinformation processing apparatus accessed through the network; a storagestep of storing the preference information received from the otherinformation processing apparatus; and a scheduled recording step ofrecording the program by scheduling, on the basis of the preferenceinformation stored by a process of the storage step.

The third information processing apparatus is characterized bycomprising: first accepting means for accepting an access by the firstother information processing apparatus through the network; receivingmeans for receiving preference information about a to-be-aired programsent from the first other information processing apparatus whose accesshas been accepted by the first accepting means anddestination-of-provision information specifying adestination-of-provision the preference information is to be provided;registering means for registering the preference information anddestination-of-provision information received by the receiving means;second accepting means for accepting an access by the second otherinformation processing apparatus through the network; determining meansfor determining whether or not the second information processingapparatus whose access has been accepted by the second accepting meansis the destination of provision the preference information is to beprovided; and first transmitting means for sending the preferenceinformation registered in the registering means to the secondinformation processing apparatus through the network in a case thedetermining means has determined that the second other informationprocessing apparatus whose access has been accepted by the secondaccepting means is the destination of provision the preferenceinformation is to be provided.

There may be further comprised of acquiring means for acquiring, fromthe second other information processing apparatus through the network,designation information designating a predetermined preferenceinformation from a plurality of pieces of the preference informationsent by the first transmitting means; and second transmitting means forsending the preference information corresponding to the designationinformation acquired by the acquiring means, to the second informationprocessing apparatus through the network.

The fourth information processing method of the invention ischaracterized by including: a first accepting step of accepting anaccess by the first other information processing apparatus through thenetwork; a receiving step of receiving preference information about ato-be-aired program sent from the first other information processingapparatus whose access has been accepted by a process of the firstaccepting step and destination-of-provision information specifying adestination-of-provision the preference information is to be provided; aregistering step of registering the preference information anddestination-of-provision information received by a process of thereceiving step; a second accepting step of accepting an access by thesecond other information processing apparatus through the network; adetermining step of determining whether or not the second informationprocessing apparatus whose access has been accepted by a process of thesecond accepting step is the destination of provision the preferenceinformation is to be provided; and a transmitting step of sending thepreference information registered in a process of the registering stepto the second other information processing apparatus through the networkin a case a process of the determining step has determined that thesecond other information processing apparatus whose access has beenaccepted by a process of the second accepting step is the destination ofprovision the preference information is to be provided.

The program recorded in a third recording medium of the invention ischaracterized by including: a first accepting step of accepting anaccess by the first other information processing apparatus through thenetwork; a receiving step of receiving preference information about ato-be-aired program sent from the first other information processingapparatus whose access has been accepted by a process of the firstaccepting step and destination-of-provision information specifying adestination-of-provision the preference information is to be provided; aregistering step of registering the preference information anddestination-of-provision information received by a process of thereceiving step; a second accepting step of accepting an access by thesecond other information processing apparatus through the network; adetermining step of determining whether or not the second informationprocessing apparatus whose access has been accepted by a process of thesecond accepting step is the destination of provision the preferenceinformation is to be provided; and a transmitting step of sending thepreference information registered in a process of the registering stepto the second other information processing apparatus through the networkin a case a process of the determining step has determined that thesecond other information processing apparatus whose access has beenaccepted by a process of the second accepting step is the destination ofprovision the preference information is to be provided.

The third program of the invention is characterized by causing acomputer to execute: a first accepting step of accepting an access bythe first other information processing apparatus through the network; areceiving step of receiving preference information about a to-be-airedprogram sent from the first other information processing apparatus whoseaccess has been accepted by a process of the first accepting step anddestination-of-provision information specifying adestination-of-provision the preference information is to be provided; aregistering step of registering the preference information anddestination-of-provision information received by a process of thereceiving step; a second accepting step of accepting an access by thesecond other information processing apparatus through the network; adetermining step of determining whether or not the second informationprocessing apparatus whose access has been accepted by a process of thesecond accepting step is the destination of provision the preferenceinformation is to be provided; and a transmitting step of sending thepreference information registered in a process of the registering stepto the second other information processing apparatus through the networkin a case a process of the determining step has determined that thesecond other information processing apparatus whose access has beenaccepted by a process of the second accepting step is the destination ofprovision the preference information is to be provided.

In the first present invention, in the first information processingapparatus is acquired the preference information about a to-be-airedprogram based on user's preference. Together with the preferenceinformation, a destination of provision the preference information is tobe provided is sent to and registered in the third informationprocessing apparatus through the network. Meanwhile, in the case thesecond information processing apparatus is a destination of provision,the preference information registered in the third informationprocessing apparatus is sent to the second information processingapparatus through the network.

In the second present invention, acquired are preference informationabout a to-be-aired program based on user's preference anddestination-of-provision information specifying a destination ofprovision the preference information. The preference information anddestination-of-provision information are provided to another informationprocessing apparatus.

In the third present invention, preference information about ato-be-aired program is received and stored from another informationprocessing apparatus through the network. Based on the stored preferenceinformation, the program is picture-recorded by scheduling.

In the fourth present invention, received and registered are preferenceinformation about a to-be-aired program sent from the first otherinformation processing apparatus and destination-of-provisioninformation specifying a destination of provision the preferenceinformation is to be provided. Meanwhile, in the case the secondinformation processing apparatus whose access has been accepted isdetermined as a destination of provision the preference information isto be provided, the preference information registered is sent to thesecond information processing apparatus through the network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network systemto which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a videorecording/reproducing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of thevideo recording/reproducing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a server2-1 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of theserver 2-1 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart explaining a preference-information preparingprocess in the video recording/reproducing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a figure showing an example of preference information.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart explaining a process of registering the preferenceinformation in a user apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a figure showing a display example according to a process ofstep S23 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart explaining a process of registering thepreference information in a server of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart explaining a process of registration notificationacquisition in the user apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart explaining a process of preference-informationacquisition in the user apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a figure showing a display example according to a process ofstep S82 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart explaining a preference-information acquisitionprocess in the server of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a figure explaining a preference-information registrationprocess.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart explaining a process of scheduling for recordingin the video recording/reproducing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a figure showing an example of broadcast program information.

FIG. 18 is a figure showing an example of a recording schedule list.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart explaining a process of recording a scheduledprogram in the video recording/reproducing unit of FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 represents a configuration example of a network system to whichthe present invention is applied. In this configuration example, servers2-1, 2-2 and user apparatuses 3-1, 3-2 are connected to a network 1configured by the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local AreaNetwork) or the like. In the FIG. 1 example, although two servers 2-1,2-2 (hereinafter, referred merely to as a server 2, where there is noneed to individually distinguish these servers) and two user apparatuses3-1, 3-2 (hereinafter, referred merely to as a user apparatus 3, wherethere is no need to individually distinguish these servers) areconnected to the network 1, the number of these is arbitrary and may bethree or more, respectively.

The server 2-1 provides preference information (preference information401, hereinafter referred in FIG. 7) and the server 2-2 providesbroadcast program information (EPG (Electric Program Guide) information)respectively to the user apparatus 3 through the network 1.

The user apparatus 3 is arranged within a user's household. The userapparatus 3-1 is configured by a video recording/reproducing unit 11, adisplay unit 12 and an antenna 13.

The video recording/reproducing unit 11, e.g. a hard-diskvideo-recorder, receives a broadcast wave through the antenna 13, andstores a signal obtained by demodulation to an auxiliary storage device40 incorporated (see FIG. 2, hereinafter referred) and provides it tothe rear-staged display unit 12 in order to make a display thereon. Thedisplay unit 12 is made by a television receiver or a monitor, forexample.

Incidentally, although not shown, the user apparatus 3-2 also isconfigured similarly to the user apparatus 3-1.

The video recording/reproducing unit 11 is configured as shown in FIG.2, for example. A tuner 31 demodulates a broadcast signal correspondingto a received broadcast wave of terrestrial-wave television broadcastwave, and outputs a video signal component and audio signal component toan encoder 32. In the terrestrial-wave television broadcast signalreceived by the antenna 13, there is included EPG information in thevertical blanking period thereof. The tuner 31 outputs the EPGinformation to an EPG acquisition module 34.

An encoder 32 encodes the video and audio signal inputted from the tuner31 under the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) scheme for example, andsupplies and stores it to the auxiliary storage device 40 through a bus52. The auxiliary storage device 40 is configured by a hard disk, amagnetic tape, a removable disk, a flash memory or the like.

The video and audio signal stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 isoutputted through the bus 52 to a decoder 33 where it is decoded underthe MPEG scheme and then supplied to the display unit 12. The encoder 32and decoder 33, in the case not storing a received video and audiosignal to the auxiliary storage device 40, outputs a signal outputtedfrom the tuner 31 directly to the display unit 12.

The bus 52 is connected with a main storage device 39, e.g. of RAM(Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 38. To the mainstorage device 39, suitably stored is the data and parameter requiredfor the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 35 to carry out various processes.The ROM 38 is stored with the program the CPU 35 is to execute.

The bus 52 is further connected with a network interface 37 forexecuting an interface process to the network 1.

The CPU 35 is connected to the bus 51, together with the encoder 32,decoder 33 and EPG acquisition module 34. This bus 51 is also connectedwith a main storage device 36 configured by a RAM or the like.

The video recording/reproducing unit 11 has a functional configurationcentered on software, as shown in FIG. 3. A live broadcast reproducingsection 61 makes a processing of a signal being received at that time bythe tuner 31 or a signal inputted from a not-shown external inputterminal. A recording title reproducing section 62 carries out areproducing process of a program (title) stored in the auxiliary storagedevice 40. The recording control section 63 executes a recording processof signals to the auxiliary storage device 40. An application managingsection 64 executes a monitor process in a start-up, end and operationstate of a viewing-control application 68, a broadcast-programinformation display application 69 and a recording schedulingapplication 70.

The viewing-control application 68 takes control of the live-broadcastreproducing section 61, recording title reproducing section 62,recording title managing section 65 or broadcast-program informationmanaging section 66, on the basis of an instruction from a user, toreproduce a signal being received or inputted at that time or reproducea program stored in the auxiliary storage device 40. Meanwhile, theviewing-control application 68 controls the live-broadcast reproducingsection 61, and appropriately looks up the broadcast program informationstored in the broadcast program information managing section 66 whencausing the tuner 31 to receive a broadcast program of a channeldesignated from the user. Furthermore, the viewing-control application68 takes control of the recording title reproducing section 62, andappropriately looks up the program management information stored in therecording title managing section 65 when reproducing the program storedin the auxiliary storage device 40.

The broadcast-program information display application 69 looks up thebroadcast program information (EPG information) stored in thebroadcast-program information managing section 66, and causes thedisplay unit 12 to display broadcast-program information. The recordingscheduling application 70 executes a recording scheduling process andgenerates user's preference information (preference information aboutbroadcast programs), on the basis of an instruction from the user. Atthis time, the recording scheduling application 70 looks up thebroadcast program information stored in the broadcast-program managingsection 66, as required. Meanwhile, the recording scheduling application70, when recording is scheduled on the basis of an operation from theuser, takes control of the recording schedule managing section 67 toexecute a recording scheduling process.

The recording title managing section 65 manages the information aboutprograms (titles) stored in the auxiliary storage device 40. Thebroadcast-program information managing section 66 manages the broadcastprogram information acquired by the EPG acquisition module 34. Therecording schedule managing section 67 takes control of the recordingcontrol section 63 and executes a recording scheduling process, on thebasis of the request from the program-recording scheduling application70 or the auto picture-recoding schedule control section 71.

The auto picture-recoding schedule control section 71 carries out arecording scheduling process on the basis of the preference information(preference information 401 in FIG. 17, hereinafter referred) acquiredfrom the server 2-1. The network communicating section 72 communicateswith the servers 2-1, 2-2 through the network 1, to acquire preferenceinformation (preference information 401 in FIG. 7, hereinafter referred)and broadcast program information.

The server 2-1 is configured as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In FIG. 4,a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 221 carries out various processesaccording to the program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 222 or theprogram loaded from a storage section 228 to a RAM (Random AccessMemory) 223. To the RAM 223, suitably stored is the data required forthe CPU 221 to execute various processes.

The CPU 221, the ROM 222 and the RAM 223 are mutually connected througha bus 224. This bus 224 is also connected with an input/output interface225.

The input/output interface 225 is connected with an input section 226configured by a keyboard, a mouse or the like, an output section 227configured by a display, such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display), as well as a speaker, a storage section 228configured by a hard disk or the like, and a communicating section 229configured by a modem or the like. The storage section 228 is storedwith preference information (preference information 401 in FIG. 7,hereinafter referred) to be provided to the user apparatus 3. Thecommunicating section 229 implements a communication process through thenetwork 1 including the Internet.

The input/output interface 225 is also connected with a drive 230, asrequired, to be suitably loaded with a removable media 231, such as amagnetic disk, an optical disk, a magnetooptical disk or a semiconductormemory. The computer program read therefrom is installed to the storagesection 228, as required.

Incidentally, although showing is omitted, the server 2-2 is basicallysimilar in configuration to the server 2-1 shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of theserver 2-1.

A network communicating section 301 communicates with the user apparatus3 through the network 1, to supply it with preference information(preference information 401 hereinafter referred). Also, it receives thepreference information sent from the user apparatus 3 and the user IDsent from the user apparatus 3, through the network 1.

A register managing section 302 stores the information acquired bycontrolling the network communicating section 301 to a customer database304 or preference information database 305, and acquires the informationstored in the customer database 304 or preference information database305, outputting it through the network communicating section 301.Meanwhile, the register managing section 302 registers the user IDacquired from the user apparatus 3 through the network communicationsection 301. A screen managing section 303 manages a trust registeringscreen (FIG. 9 hereinafter referred) on the basis of the user ID undermanagement of the register managing section 302.

Referring now to a flowchart of FIG. 6, explained is a preferenceinformation preparing process by the video recording/reproducing unit 11of FIG. 3. Incidentally, this process is started when the user inputs anoperation as liking a predetermined program (operation expressing tohave a preference for a predetermined program) to the videorecording/reproducing unit 11.

At step S1, the recording scheduling application 70, when the useroperates to have a preference for a predetermined program, acquires asignal based on that operation. Such operations include a scheduling forrecording or a protection, for example. For example, when the useroperates to schedule for recording a certain program, the recordingscheduling application 70 acquires it and executes a recordingscheduling process.

At step S2, the auto recording schedule control section 71 acquires atitle, detail information, genre, airing time zone and broadcast stationof the program (program scheduled for recording by the process of stepS1), from the broadcast program information (EPG information) stored inthe broadcast-program information managing section 66. Namely, thebroadcast-program information managing section 66 is stored withbroadcast program information (EPG information) as shown, for example,in FIG. 17 hereinafter referred. Based on it, this process is to beexecuted.

At step S3, the auto recording schedule control section 71 extracts apreference keyword from the title or detail information acquired by theprocess of step S2 (extracted preference keyword provides keywordpreference information 402 in FIG. 7 hereinafter referred). For example,in the case a particular public entertainer's name is included in thetitle or detail information, it will be extracted.

At step S4, the auto recording schedule control section 71 holds thepreference keyword extracted by the process of step S3 and theinformation of genre, airing time zone and broadcast station acquired bythe process of step S2, as preference information.

By the process of FIG. 6, started is an acquisition of preferenceinformation about a broadcast program depending upon the user'soperation as liking a predetermined program (operation such asscheduling of recording, protection, etc.). Meanwhile, depending uponthe user's operation as liking a predetermined program, the informationof a preference keyword, genre, airing time zone and broadcast stationextracted from the program detail information is acquired as preferenceinformation from the broadcast program information.

FIG. 7 represents an example of the preference information 401 held bythe process of FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, the preference information 401 is configured bypreference information about a broadcast program, including keywordpreference information 402, genre preference information 403, broadcaststation preference information 404 and time-zone preference information405. Naturally, the preference information (keyword preferenceinformation 402, genre preference information 403, broadcast stationpreference information 404 and time-zone preference information 405)constituting the preference information 401 is not limited to these. Theauto recording schedule control section 71, by looking up the preferenceinformation, can make a scheduling for recording programs to the taste.

The keyword preference information 402 is configured by “keyword name”,“update” and its “keyword name” point. In the FIG. 7 example, the first“keyword name” in the keyword preference information 402 is given“Yamada Ichiroh”, and the time “update” that the “keyword name” has beenupdated is “2002.1.3 10:03:45”, whose “keyword name” point is “30”.Meanwhile, the second “keyword name” in the keyword preferenceinformation 402 is given “Tanaka Hanako”, and the time “update” that the“keyword name” has been updated is “2002.1.3 10:03:45”, whose “keywordname” point is “20”. Furthermore, the third “keyword name” in thekeyword preference information 402 is given “baseball”, and the time“update” that the “keyword name” has been updated is “2002.1.310:03:45”, whose “keyword name” point is “10”. Meanwhile, the fourth“keyword name” in the keyword preference information 402 is given“Sunday Theater”, and the time “update” that the “keyword name” has beenupdated is “2002.1.3 10:03:45”, whose “keyword name” point is “25”.

The “keyword name” point is greater in value with higher user'spreference degree for the keyword corresponding to “keyword name”.Incidentally, in the FIG. 7 example, although the “keyword name” pointis a positive value, it can be given a negative value. For example, inthe case there is a keyword the user does not prefer (dislike), the“keyword name” can be held as a negative value in the preferenceinformation 401. Naturally, when the “keyword name” point has a negativevalue greater (smaller value) in absolute value, it is a keyword lesspreferred (more disliked) by the user.

In the FIG. 7 example, as the “keyword name” in the keyword preferenceinformation 402, the “keyword name” in the keyword preferenceinformation 402 preferred the most by the user is “Yamada Ichiroh”(because the keyword name point is 30″, or the greatest value).

The genre preference information 403 is configured by “genre id”,“update” and its “genre id” point. In the FIG. 7 example, the first“genre id” in the genre preference information 403 is “1” (e.g. “1” is avalue corresponding to sport). The time “update” that “genre id” hasbeen updated is “2002.1.3 10:03:45”, whose “genre id” point is given“23”. Meanwhile, the second “genre id” in the genre preferenceinformation 403 is “3” (e.g. “3” is a value corresponding to drama) andthe time “update” the “genre id” has been updated is “2002.1.310:03.45”, whose “genre id” point is given “−10”.

The “genre id” point is greater in value with higher user's preferencedegree. Incidentally, when the “genre id” point has a negative value,the genre corresponding to the “genre id” is a genre the user does notprefer (dislike).

In the FIG. 7 example, as “genre id” in the genre preference information403, the “genre id” preferred the most by the user is “1” (e.g. “1” is avalue corresponding to sport) wherein (because the “genre point” is“23”, or the greatest value) the “genre id” not preferred the most(disliked) by the user is “3” (e.g. “3” is a value corresponding todrama).

The information corresponding to broadcast station preferenceinformation 404 is configured by “station id”, “update” and its “stationid” point. In the FIG. 7 example, the first “station id” in thebroadcast station preference information 404 is “1” (e.g. “1” is an IDcorresponding to channel 1), wherein the time “update” the “station id”has been updated is “2002.1.3 10:03:45” and its “station id” point isgiven “23”. Meanwhile, the second “station id” in the broadcast stationpreference information 404 is “5” (e.g. “5” is an ID corresponding tochannel 5), wherein the time “update” the “station id” has been updatedis “2002.1.3 10:03:45” and its “station id” point is given “−10”.

In also the “station id” point, the greater value is taken with higheruser's preference degree. Incidentally, in the case the “station id”point is a negative value, the broadcast station corresponding to the“station id” is a broadcast station the user does not prefer (dislike).

In the FIG. 7 example case, as a “station id” in the broadcast stationpreference information 404, the “station id” preferred the most by theuser is “1” (e.g. “1” is an ID corresponding to channel 1) wherein(because the “station id” point is “23”, or the greatest value,) the“station id” not preferred (disliked) the most by the user is “5” (e.g.“5” is an ID corresponding to channel 5).

The information corresponding to the time-zone preference information405 is configured by “time_zone id”, “update” and its “time_zone id”point. In the FIG. 7 example, the first “time_zone id” in the time-zonepreference information 405 is “0” (e.g. “0” is a value corresponding tofrom 0:00 to 1:00) wherein the time “update” that the “time_zone id” hasbeen updated is given “2002.1.3 10:03:45” and its “time_zone id” pointis “50”. Meanwhile, the second “time_zone id” in the time-zonepreference information 405 is “2” (e.g. “2” is a value corresponding tofrom 2:00 to 3:00) wherein the time “update” that the “time_zone id” hasbeen updated is given “2002.1.3 10:03:45” and its “time zone id” pointis “−10”. Furthermore, the third “time_zone id” in the time-zonepreference information 405 is “4” (e.g. “4” is a value corresponding tofrom 4:00 to 5:00) wherein the time “update” that the “time_zone id” hasbeen updated is given “2002.1.3 10:03:45” and its “time_zone id” pointis “−20”. Meanwhile, the fourth “time_zone id” in the time-zonepreference information 405 is “8” (e.g. “8” is a value corresponding tofrom 8:00 to 9:00) wherein the time “update” that the “time_zone id” hasbeen updated is given “2002.1.3 10:03:45” and its “time_zone id” pointis “23”.

In also the “time_zone id” point, the higher the preference degree, thegreater the value is taken. Incidentally, when the “time_zone id” pointhas a negative value, the time zone corresponding to the “time_zone id”is given a time zone the user does not prefer (dislike).

In the FIG. 7 example, as the “time_zone id” in the time-zone preferenceinformation 405, the “time_zone id” preferred the most by the user is“0” (e.g. “0” is a value corresponding to from 0:00 to 1:00) wherein(because the “time_zone id” point is “50”, or the greatest value,) the“time_zone id” not preferred (disliked) the most by the user is “4”(e.g. “4” is a value corresponding to 4:00 to 5:00).

The information in the above is stored as user's preference information401 in the user apparatus 3. The user on the user apparatus 3, whenholding preference information in the above manner, registers it to theserver 2-1 and allows the same to be used by a friend or the like.

Referring now to a flowchart of FIG. 8, explained is a process forregistering the preference information the user on the user apparatus3-2 has prepared (held) by himself/herself (user's preferenceinformation) to the server 2-1. Incidentally, this process is commencedwhen user registration is instructed by the user.

At step S21, the auto recording schedule control section 71 acquires thepreference information 401 (e.g. preference information 401 in FIG. 7)to be registered to the server 2-1. This preference information 401 hasbeen prepared by executing the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6,by user's scheduling of recording or the like.

At step S22, the auto recording schedule control section 71 takescontrol of the network communicating section 72, to access the server2-1 through the network 1. The server 2-1 accepts the access from theuser apparatus 3-2 (step S41 in FIG. 10 hereinafter referred) and sendsa trust registering screen (step S42 in FIG. 10 hereinafter referred).The user apparatus 3-2 receives the trust registering screen (FIG. 9hereinafter referred) sent from the server 2-1.

At step S23, the auto recording schedule control section 71 causes thedisplay unit 12 to display the trust registering screen sent (step S42in FIG. 12) by the server 2-1, through the use of the broadcast-programinformation display application 69. An example of the trust registeringscreen is shown in FIG. 9.

In FIG. 9, there is displayed a message “Input user ID of user of trustand press decide”, wherein displayed is a box to input a user ID. Theuser inputs a user ID of another user by whom his/her own preferenceinformation is desirably utilized, and operates a decide button 501.

Referring back to FIG. 8, the auto recording schedule control section 71at step S24 acquires a to-be-registered user ID. Specifically, when theuser inputs a user ID on the screen shown in FIG. 9 and selects thedecide button 501, the auto recording schedule control section 71acquires a user ID inputted. In the present example, it is assumed thatthe user who is to execute this process is a user at the user apparatus3-2 while the user to be registered is a user at the user apparatus 3-1(i.e. the user ID to be registered is a user ID of the user on the userapparatus 3-1). This means that the user apparatus 3-2 allows to providethe preference information to the user ID to be registered. Accordingly,the user who is to utilize this service is required registeredhimself/herself to the server 2-1 and assigned with a user ID inadvance.

At step S25, the auto recording schedule control section 71 sends thepreference information 401 acquired by the process of step S21 and theuser ID (user ID of the user at the user apparatus 3-1, in the presentexample case) acquired by the process of step S24, to the server 2-1.The server 2-1 receives and registers it (steps S43 and S44 in FIG. 10hereinafter referred).

Referring now to a flowchart of FIG. 10, explained is a user registeringprocess on the server 2-1 corresponding to the process on the userapparatus 3-2 of FIG. 8. Incidentally, this process is commenced whenaccessed from the user apparatus 3-2.

At step S41, the network communicating section 301 accepts an access(step S22 in FIG. 8) from the user apparatus 3 (user apparatus 3-2 inthe present case).

At step S42, the register managing section 302 reads out a trustregistering screen (FIG. 9) under management of the screen managingsection 303, and sends it to the user apparatus 3 through the networkcommunicating section 301. Specifically, it sends the data of a trustregistering screen shown in FIG. 9 noted above. The user apparatus 3(user apparatus 3-2) receives and displays this (step S23 in FIG. 8),and acquires a to-be-registered user ID (user apparatus 3-1 in thepresent example) and preference information 401 (preference informationof the user on the user apparatus 3-2), thus sending it to the server2-1 (step S25 in FIG. 8).

Consequently, at step S43, the register managing section 302 receivesthe preference information 401 (preference information of the user onthe user apparatus 3-2) and to-be-registered user ID, through thenetwork communicating section 301.

At step S44, the register managing section 302 acquires the preferenceinformation 401 (preference information of the user on the userapparatus 3-2) and user ID to be registered, and registers them to thepreference information database 305. Specifically, it stores thepreference information 401 to the preference information database 305and the user ID (ID of the user apparatus 3-1) (user ID specifying thedestination the program information is to be provided) to customerdatabase 304. Due to this, in the present case, registration is madethat the user having the trust of the user on the user apparatus 3-2 isa user of the user apparatus 3-1.

At step S45, the register managing section 302 takes control of thenetwork communicating section 301, to notify the registered user (userapparatus 3-1 in the present example case) of a fact registration hasbeen made from the user apparatus 3 (user apparatus 3-2 in the presentexample case).

In this manner, preference information is registered by the process ofFIGS. 8 and 10.

Referring now to a flowchart of FIG. 11, explained is a process of theuser apparatus 3 (e.g. user apparatus 3-1) to be executedcorrespondingly to the process of the step S45 of FIG. 10. Incidentally,this process is commenced when notification is made from the server 2-1to the user apparatus 3 (user apparatus 3-1) haven by the userregistered.

At a step S61, the user apparatus 3 (user apparatus 3-1 in the presentexample case) accepts an access from the server 2-1 (step S45 in FIG.10).

At step S62, the user apparatus 3 (user apparatus 3-1 in the presentcase) receives a notification from the server 2-1. This notificationcontains the information representing that preference information(preference information of the user on the user apparatus 3-2) has beenregistered by the user apparatus 3-2 having executed the process of FIG.8. By receiving this notification, the user on the user apparatus 3-1 isallowed to know the fact that preference information (preferenceinformation of the user on the user apparatus 3-2) has been registeredby another user apparatus (user apparatus 3-2 in this case).

Referring now to a flowchart of FIG. 12, explained is a preferenceinformation acquiring process by the user apparatus 3. Incidentally,this process is commenced when instructed to make a scheduling ofrecording by the user possessing the user apparatus 3 (e.g. userapparatus 3-1).

At step S81, the network communicating section 72 accesses the server2-1 on the basis of an instruction by the user. The server 2-1 acceptsthe access (step S111 in FIG. 14 hereinafter referred). In the casedetermined that registration has been made as a destination of provisionof the preference information (in the case rendered YES in step S112 inFIG. 14 hereinafter referred), sent is a select screen for selecting onefrom a plurality of pieces of user apparatus 3 preference information(step S113 in FIG. 14 hereinafter referred).

Consequently, at step S82, the network communicating section 72 receivesthe select screen for selecting one from a plurality of pieces of userapparatus 3 preference information sent from the server 2-1. The autorecording schedule control section 71 takes control of thebroadcast-program display application 69, and causes the display unit 12to display a select screen for selecting one from a plurality of piecesof user apparatus 3 preference information.

At this time, a display example to be displayed on the display unit 12is shown in FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, there is displayed a message“Preference Information List by Person Trusting You. Select Like List ofPreference Information”. In the below of the message, there arearranged, for selection, User X button 521, User B button 522 and User Cbutton 523. The user selects any one from the User X button 521, theUser B button 522 and the User C button 523. Incidentally, the User Xbutton 521, the User B button 522 and the User C button 523 displayed inFIG. 13 are of the user names of the user IDs registered together by theforegoing step S25 of FIG. 8 and step S44 of FIG. 10.

At step S83, the auto recording schedule control section 71 accepts apiece of designation information for designating a predetermined one outof a plurality of pieces of preference information, on the basis ofuser's operation. For example, in the case that, by the user, the User Bbutton 522 is selected on the FIG. 13 screen displayed on the displayunit 12 by the process of step S82, acquired is designation informationrepresenting that the User B button 522 has been designated.

At step S84, the network communicating section 72 sends the designationinformation on the designated preference information (designationinformation acquired by the process of step S83) to the server 2-1. Inthe case that the designation information representing that the User Bbutton 522 has been designated by the process of step S83, the userapparatus 3 sends the server 2-1 the designation informationrepresenting that the User B button 522 has been designated. The server2-1 receives this (step S114 in FIG. 14 hereinafter referred), and sendspreference information to the user apparatus 3 (step S115 in FIG. 14hereinafter referred). In this case, the User B sends the preferenceinformation previously registered in the server 2-1 (preferenceinformation database 305 in the server 2-1).

Consequently, at step S85, the auto recording schedule control section71 receives the preference information (e.g. preference information 401in FIG. 7) sent from the server 2-1, through the network communicatingsection 72. The recording schedule managing section 67 stores it to thepreference information database (auxiliary storage device 40) internallyprovided. This preference information is preference informationcorresponding to the designated designation information sent by theprocess of step S84. In this case, because of the preference informationcorresponding to the designation information representing that the UserB button 522 has been designated, it is preference informationpreviously registered by the User B.

At step S86, the recording schedule managing section 67 makes arecording scheduling on the basis of the preference information receivedand stored by the process of step S85. Namely, scheduling of recordingis made for the program designated by the stored preference informationso that recording operation can be started at a predetermined time.

Referring now to a flowchart of FIG. 14, explained is a preferenceinformation acquiring process of the server 2-1 corresponding to theprocess of FIG. 12 to be executed by the user apparatus 3. Incidentally,this process is commenced when accessed from the user apparatus 3 (userapparatus 3-1, in the present case) by the process of step S81 of FIG.12.

At step S111, the network communicating section 301 accepts an access(step S81 of FIG. 12) from the user apparatus 3. For example, it acceptsan access from the user apparatus 3-1.

At step S112, the register managing section 302 determines whether ornot the user apparatus 3 accessed (user apparatus 3-1, in the presentexample case) has been registered as a providing destination ofpreference information. Specifically, the register managing section 302looks up the customer database 304 and determines whether or not theuser apparatus 3 (user apparatus 3-1, in the present example case) hasbeen registered as a providing destination of preference information. Inthe case determined that the user apparatus 3 (user apparatus 3-1, inthis example case) has been registered as a providing destination ofpreference information, the process proceeds to step S113, to send aselect screen for selecting one from a plurality of pieces of userapparatus 3 preference information.

The user apparatus 3 receives those and displays a select screen forselecting one from a plurality of pieces of user apparatus 3 preferenceinformation (step S8 in FIG. 12), thereby prompting for designation,whereby it sends designation information about designated preferenceinformation (step S84 in FIG. 12). In this example case, sent is thedesignation information representing that the User B button 522 has beendesignated.

At step S114, the network communicating section 301 receives thedesignation information about designated preference information from theuser apparatus 3-1. The register managing section 302 reads thepreference information of the program (e.g. preference information 401in FIG. 7) from the preference information database 305 on the basis ofthe designation information. In this example case, received is thedesignation information representing that the user B button 522 has beendesignated, based on which the preference information registered by theUser B is read out.

At step S115, the register managing section 302 sends the preferenceinformation (e.g. preference information 401 in FIG. 7) read out by theprocess of step S114, to the user apparatus 3 through the networkcommunicating section 301. This preference information is received bythe user apparatus 3, based on which a recording scheduling process isimplemented (step S85, S86 in FIG. 12).

After the process of step S115 or in the step of S112, in the case of adetermination that not registered as a destination of providingpreference information, the process is terminated.

Incidentally, it is also possible to previously send the preferenceinformation of all the other users registered by the process of the stepS113. In this case, because the user apparatus 3 itself can selectrequired preference information, the process of step S114, S115 can beomitted. Meanwhile, in also the user apparatus 3, the process of stepS84, S85 in FIG. 12 is omitted. However, in this case, there is anincrease in amount of the data to be communicated.

By the process of FIGS. 12 and 14, the user apparatus 3 acquires fromthe server 2-1 a select screen for selecting one from a plurality ofpieces of another user apparatus 3 preference information, and sends aselected piece of designation information on preference information tothe server 2-1. From the server 2-1, received is preference informationbased on the designation information thereby carrying out a recordingscheduling. This makes it possible to implement a scheduled recording onthe basis of the preference information by another user apparatus 3. Theuser is allowed to share the same program with another user by providingpreference information to the other user. Meanwhile, in the case toutilize the preference information of from another user, it is possibleto omit the labor and time for preparing preference information byhimself/herself.

The above process, if summarized, is as follows. Namely, as shown inFIG. 15, the customer database 304 and the preference informationdatabase 305 are held in the server 2-1. The customer database 304 isstored with the customer data of the user apparatus 3-1 and userapparatus 3-2. This can restrict the users who are allowed to usepreference information. The user apparatus 3-2 supplies the preferenceinformation prepared by itself (e.g. preference information prepared bythe process of FIG. 6) to the server 2-1 through the network 1. Theserver 2-1 registers this to the preference information database 305. Byreceiving a notification of preference information from the server 2-1or voluntarily at a predetermined timing as required, when the userapparatus 3-1 accesses the server 2-1, the server 2-1 sends thepreference information prepared by the user apparatus 3-2 (userregistered in the customer database 304) (step S113 in FIG. 14).

The user apparatus 3-1 designates the preference information prepared bythe registered user apparatus 3 (user apparatus 3-2, in the FIG. 15example case) (in the case that preference information is registered bya plurality of users, this is designated), designated designationinformation is sent to the server 2-1 (step S84 in FIG. 12).

The server 2-1 receives this and acquires the preference information 611stored in the preference information database 305 and corresponding tothe designated information (e.g. preference information of the userapparatus 3-2), sending it to the user apparatus 3-1 through the network1. The user apparatus 3-1 receives this and causes the auto recordingschedule control section 71 to execute a recording process (recordingscheduling) based on the preference information.

Incidentally, the manager on the server 2-1 can impose charge for theservice provision as the above on the user of user apparatus 3 asrequired, to gain profits.

Meanwhile, the user ID may be plurality that are to be acquired by theauto recording schedule control section 71 at the step S24 in FIG. 8. Inthe case the auto recording schedule control section 71 is arranged toacquire user IDs (destination-of-provision information) in plurality atthe step S24, then acquired preference information and a plurality ofusers (destinations of provision) are registered at step S44 in FIG. 10.This makes it possible to provide the same preference information to theplurality of users (destinations of provision).

As in the above, the user apparatus 3 acquires preference informationthrough the server 2-1 and causes the auto recording schedule controlsection 71 to carry out a recording scheduling process. Also, itacquires the preference information prepared by the user himself/herselfand causes the auto recording schedule control section 71 to carry out arecording schedulinq process. Once this setting (selection) is done bythe user, scheduling of recording is automatically effected as explainedin the next.

Referring now to a flowchart of FIG. 16, explained is a recordingscheduling process to be automatically effected on the basis ofpreferential information by the auto recording schedule control section71. Incidentally, the process shown in the FIG. 16 flowchart isperiodically executed at a predetermined time interval previously set.

At step S131, the auto recording schedule control section 71 selects onepiece of broadcast program information from the stored broadcast programinformation (EPG information) in an amount of two days, for example. Asnoted above, the EPG information is acquired by the EPG acquisitionmodule 34 and placed under management of the broadcast-programinformation managing section 66. Specifically, the EPG information is instorage by the auxiliary storage device 40.

FIG. 17 represents an example of such EPG information (broadcast programinformation). Incidentally, this FIG. 17 example represents one programof broadcast program information. The auxiliary storage device 40 isstored with the broadcast program information of the nearest program tobe aired for two days from the current time, for example.

In the FIG. 17 example, the broadcast station to air the program is “TVJapan”, whose date to air is Mar. 26, 2002. Meanwhile, this program hasa broadcast start time of 17:00 and an end time of 18:00. Furthermore,this program is variety in genre, having a program title of “News 17”.Furthermore, there is described, as detail information, informationincluding “Premier Resigned, Yen's Depreciation Inching . . .”.

In the process of step S131, selected herein is one program of broadcastprogram information as shown in FIG. 17, for example.

Next, at step S132, the auto recording schedule control section 71acquires a preference value corresponding to the genre of the broadcastprogram information from the preference information and adds it to thepreference value of the relevant program. Namely, in the case the genreof the broadcast program information selected by the process of the stepS131 falls under the genre preference information 403 of the preferenceinformation 401, the auto recording schedule control section 71 adds thepreference value to the preference value of the relevant program(broadcast program information selected by the process of the stepS131).

The preference information to be used herein is the stored preferenceinformation transferred from the other user apparatus 3 in the processof step S85 of FIG. 12 or the preference information registered and heldby executing the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 by the userapparatus 3 itself.

At step S133, the auto recording schedule control section 71 acquires apreference value corresponding to the airing time zone of the broadcastprogram information from the preference information and adds it to thepreference value of the relevant program. Namely, in the case the airingtime zone of the broadcast program information selected by the processof the step S131 falls under the time-zone preference information 405 ofthe preference information 401, the auto recording schedule controlsection 71 adds the preference value to the preference value of therelevant program (broadcast program information selected by the processof the step S131).

At step S134, the auto recording schedule control section 71 acquires apreference value corresponding to the broadcast station of the broadcastprogram information from the preference information and adds it to thepreference value of the relevant program. Namely, in the case thebroadcast station of the broadcast program information selected by theprocess of the step S131 falls under the broadcast-station preferenceinformation 404 of the preference information 401, the auto recordingschedule control section 71 adds the preference value to the preferencevalue of the relevant program (broadcast program information selected bythe process of the step S131).

At step S135, the auto recording schedule control section 71, if akeyword existing in the preference information is contained in the titlekeyword of the broadcast program information, adds the preference valueof that keyword to the preference value of the relevant program. Namely,in the case the keyword of the broadcast program information selected bythe process of the step S131 is contained in the keywords existing inthe keyword preference information 402 of the preference information401, the auto recording schedule control section 71 adds the preferencevalue to the preference value of the relevant program (broadcast programinformation selected by the process of the step S131).

The process of the steps S132 to S135 sets a preference value of onepiece of broadcast program information selected by the process of thestep S131 (preference values are added by the respective steps, and thepreference values of after the process of step S135 provide preferencevalues of this broadcast program information).

At step S136, the auto recording schedule control section 71 determineswhether or not all the pieces of broadcast program information (EPGinformation) have been selected. In the case determined that all thepieces of broadcast program information have not been selected yet (inthe case there is a program having not been selected), the processreturns to the step S131 where the broadcast program information of thenext one program is selected, to execute the process of steps S132 andthe subsequent similarly to the foregoing case.

In the case determined at step S136 that all the pieces of broadcastprogram information have been selected (in the case determined that thebroadcast program information in an amount of two days has beenselected), the process proceeds to step S137. The auto recordingschedule control section 71 takes control of the recording schedulemanaging section 67, to make an addition in the higher order of programpreference value to the recording schedule list up to the upper limit inthe amount of recording schedule (make a recording scheduling process).Thereafter, the process is terminated.

Incidentally, the auto recording schedule control section 71, in thecase the information registered in the preference information 401includes negative one in point value, may exclude the program from asubject of search or may add a negative point of preference value. Inthe FIG. 7 example case, in the case that there is included one having a“genre id” “3” in the genre preference information 403, a “station id”of “5” in the broadcast station preference information 404, a “time_zoneid” of “2” in the time zone preference information 405 or a “time_zoneid” of “4” in the time zone preference information 405 is included ineach broadcast program (e.g. FIG. 17) selected by the process of stepS132, the program is excluded from the subject of search or added by anegative point of preference value.

As in the above, the auto recording schedule control section 71 causesthe recording schedule managing section 67 to prepare a recordingschedule list as shown in FIG. 18.

In the FIG. 18 example, there is registered airing date, broadcaststation, airing start time and airing end time of the programs to bepicture-recorded. For example, there is recorded a program to be airedat 16:00:00 to 16:30:00 on 2002, Jul. 1, by the broadcast station “TVJapan”, as a program scheduled for recording.

This recording schedule list is automatically prepared by mere user'sregistration of preference information or selecting operation.Accordingly, the user is not forced by an excessive burden in preparingthe recording schedule list. Also, it is possible to automatically carryout a scheduling for recording matched to other users registered orselected.

Incidentally, of course, it is possible for the user to individuallydesignate predetermined programs through the recording schedulingapplication 70 and register those to the recording schedule list.

In case a recording schedule list is prepared as in the above, therecording schedule managing section 67 executes a recording process onscheduled programs. Referring now to a flowchart of FIG. 19, explainedis a recording process on scheduled programs. Incidentally, the processshown in the flowchart of FIG. 19 is to be periodically executed at aconstant time interval.

At step S151, the recording schedule managing section 67 determineswhether all the programs scheduled in the recording schedule list havebeen searched or not. In the case there is a scheduled program havingnot searched, the process proceeds to step S152 where the recordingschedule managing section 67 extracts one program from the recordingschedule list. At step S153, the recording schedule managing section 67reads out the airing date and time of the program extracted in theprocess of step S152. For example, in the case that the program shown atnumber 1 in FIG. 18 is extracted by the process of step S152, its airingdate and time “Jul. 1, 2002, 16:00:00” is read out as an airing date andtime in the process of step S153.

At step S154, the recording schedule managing section 67 reads out thecurrent date and time from the incorporated timer and determines whetheror not the airing date and time read out in the process of step S153 iswithin a reference time from the current date and time. The referencetime is a comparatively short time, e.g. 30 seconds or 1 minute. Thisreference time is determined taking account of a time required frominstructing control through the recording control section 63 to actuallystarting a recording process.

In the case that the airing date and time is determined not within thereference time from the current date and time, the process returns tothe step S151, to repeatedly execute the subsequent process.

For example, in case the current date and time is “Jul. 1, 2002,12:00:00”, the current date and time is four hours before the airingdate and time and hence not determined within the reference time. Theprocess returns to the step S151, again making a determination processwhether all the scheduled programs have been searched or not. In thepresent case, because all the programs have not yet been searched, theprocess proceeds to step S152 where the next one program is extracted.For example, the program shown at number 2 in FIG. 18 is extracted. Atstep S153, the airing date and time at number 2 is read out as “Jul. 1,2002, 17:30:00”.

At step S154, it is determined whether or not the airing date and timeis within a reference time from the current date and time. In case notwithin the reference time, the process returns to step S151, torepeatedly execute the subsequent process.

For example, in the case that the program at number 1 is selected andthe current date and time is “Jul. 1, 2002, 15:59:30”, the airing dateand time “Jul. 1, 2002, 16:00:00” is within 30 seconds from the currentdate and time “Jul. 1, 2002, 15:59:30” (within the reference time).Accordingly, it is determined at step S154 that the airing date and houris within a reference time from the current date and time. In this case,the process proceeds to step S155 where the recording schedule managingsection 67 takes control of the recording control section 63 to receivethe program now being concerned. In this case, the broadcast radio waveof broadcast station TV Japan is caused received by the tuner 31.

At step S156, the recording schedule managing section 67 takes controlof the recording control section 63 to store the program received by theprocess of step S155 to the auxiliary storage device 40.

Namely, the video and audio signals received at this time by the tuner31 are supplied to the encoder 32 where it is encoded under the MPEGscheme and then supplied to and stored in the auxiliary storage device40.

At step S157, the recording schedule managing section 67 determineswhether the program is over or not by comparing between the airing endtime of the program now under execution of recording process and thecurrent date and time. In the case the program is not yet over, end iswaited for. In the case the program is over, the process proceeds tostep S158 where the recording schedule managing section 67 takes controlof the recording control section 63 to terminate the recording processonto the auxiliary storage section 40. Also, at step S159, the recordingschedule managing section 67 takes control of the recording controlsection 63 to terminate the program reception process by the tuner 31.

At step S160, the recording schedule managing section 67 deletes theprogram now completed in recording from the recording schedule list.

At step S151, in case it is determined that all the programs scheduledhave been searched, the process of the steps S152 to S160 is skippedover to end the process.

The above process is executed at a constant time interval, toautomatically picture-record the programs registered in the recordingschedule list sequentially to the auxiliary storage device 40.

Incidentally, the recording schedule list shown in FIG. 18 can bearranged by sorting in the order of airing date and time. By doing so,the program first extracted by the process of step S152 could have theearliest airing date and time. In the case that its airing date and timeis determined not within a reference time from the current date andtime, all the remaining programs are resultingly not within thereference time from the current date and time. Accordingly, it ispossible to omit the determination process concerning those programs.

After the program has been recorded to the auxiliary storage device 40in the above manner, the recording title managing section 65 registersand manages the information about the title, airing date and time, etc.of the program picture-recorded.

When the user instructs to reproduce the picture-recorded programthrough the viewing-control application 68, the viewing-controlapplication 68 looks up the management information in the recordingtitle managing section 65 and reads out the program titlepicture-recorded in the auxiliary storage device 40, causing the displayunit 12 to display it. When the user looks the display and selects aprogram to be reproduced, the viewing-control application 68 instructsthe recording title reproducing section 62 to reproduce the program. Therecording title reproducing section 62 reproduces the instructed programfrom the auxiliary storage device 40. The video and audio datareproduced from the auxiliary storage device 40 is inputted to thedecoder 33 where it is decoded under the MPEG scheme, followed by beingoutputted to and displayed on the display unit 12.

By the above process, the user apparatus 3 acquires the preferenceinformation prepared by the registered user and causes the autorecording schedule control section 71 to carry out a recording process.The auto recording schedule control section 71 causes the recordingschedule managing section 67 to prepare a recording schedule list (FIG.18) and carry out a recording process. This allows for exchangingpreference information at between the terminals (user apparatuses 3-1,3-2), making it possible to make a recording scheduling of a programeasily and swiftly without imposing burden on the user.

Meanwhile, because preference information can be exchanged betweenfriends (user apparatuses in plurality), it is possible to view aprogram liked between the friends and to feel the preferences of themutual users.

Furthermore, it is possible to levy from the user a use charge in returnfor the provision the server 2-1 (service provider) has provided thefield for exchanging preference information, making commercializationfeasible.

Meanwhile, the server 2-1 (service provider), because capable ofgathering the customer information and preference information of theuser on the user apparatus 3, can utilize it and make a productproposal, etc. effectively to the user.

Although the above was adapted to receive broadcast program informationfrom the broadcast station through a broadcast radio wave, it can bereceived from the server 2-2 through the network 1. Meanwhile, althoughit was preference information that is to be registered to the server 2-1and sent to the user apparatus 3, this is not limitative, e.g.preference information can be generated from the information of aprogram actually picture-recorded instead of scheduled by the user. Inbrief, any piece of information is to be applied provided that it ispreference information capable of specifying a program as a subject ofrecording.

The foregoing one series of processes, although can be executed onhardware, can be carried out over software.

In the case of executing the series of processes on software, theprogram configuring that software is installed from the network orrecording medium onto a computer incorporated in exclusive hardware or,for example, general-purpose personal computer capable of executingvarious functions by being installed with various programs.

The recording medium, as shown in FIG. 4, is configured not only by aremovable media 231 constituted by a program-recorded magnetic disk(including floppy disk), optical disk (including CD-ROM (CompactDisk-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), magnetoopticaldisk (including MD (Mini-Disk) or semiconductor memory distributed forproviding a program to the user separately from the apparatus main body,but also by a ROM 222 recording a program or a hard disk included in thestorage section 228 provided in a state previously incorporated in theapparatus main body to the user.

Incidentally, in the present specification, the step describing aprogram recorded to the recording medium includes, of course a processto be chronologically made along a described order, also a process to beexecuted in parallel or discretely even if not necessarily to beprocessed chronologically.

Meanwhile, in the present specification, system represents the apparatusoverall constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to a first invention, it is possible to make a scheduling ofrecording a program. Particularly, according to the invention scheduledrecording is possible swiftly for a program matched to preferenceinformation.

According to a second invention, it is possible for a user on anotherinformation processing apparatus to make a program scheduling.Particularly, recording a program can be scheduled swiftly and easilywithout imposing heavy burden on the user.

According to a third invention, it is possible to picture-record ascheduled program without generating preference information by aninformation processing apparatus itself.

According to a fourth invention, it is possible to exchange preferenceinformation between first another information processing apparatus and asecond another information processing apparatus. This makes it possibleto earn a profit as required.

1. An information processing system configured by a first informationprocessing apparatus, a second information processing apparatus forexchanging information with said first information processing apparatusand a third information processing apparatus for taking control ofinformation exchange between said first information processing apparatusand said second information processing apparatus, that are connected toa network, said information processing system characterized in that:said first information processing apparatus comprises acquiring meansfor acquiring preference information about a to-be-aired program basedon a preference of a user on said first information processingapparatus; and first transmitting means for sending, together with saidpreference information, a destination-of-provision said preferenceinformation is to be provided to said third information processingapparatus through said network; said second information processingapparatus comprises receiving means for receiving said preferenceinformation said first information processing apparatus causes saidthird information processing apparatus to register, from said thirdinformation processing apparatus through said network; Said thirdinformation processing apparatus comprises registering means forregistering said preference information sent from said first informationprocessing apparatus through said network; and second transmitting meansfor sending said preference information registered to said secondinformation processing apparatus through said network in the case saidsecond information processing apparatus is saiddestination-of-provision.
 2. An information processing method for aninformation processing system configured by a first informationprocessing apparatus, a second information processing apparatus forexchanging information with said first information processing apparatusand a third information processing apparatus for taking control ofinformation exchange between said first information processing apparatusand said second information processing apparatus, that are connected toa network, said information processing method for an informationprocessing system characterized in that: said information processingmethod in said first information processing apparatus includes anacquiring step of acquiring preference information about a to-be-airedprogram based on a preference of a user on said first informationprocessing apparatus; and a first transmitting step of sending, togetherwith said preference information, a destination-of-provision saidpreference information is to be provided to said third informationprocessing apparatus through said network; said information processingmethod in said second information processing apparatus includes areceiving step of receiving said preference information said firstinformation processing apparatus causes said third informationprocessing apparatus to register, from said third information processingapparatus through said network; said information processing method insaid third information processing apparatus includes a registering stepof registering said preference information sent from said firstinformation processing apparatus through said network; and a secondtransmitting step of sending said preference information registered tosaid second information processing apparatus through said network in thecase said second information processing apparatus is saiddestination-of-provision.
 3. An information processing apparatuscharacterized by comprising: first acquiring means for acquiringpreference information about a to-be-aired program based on a preferenceof a user; second acquiring means for acquiring destination-of-provisioninformation specifying a destination-of-provision said preferenceinformation is to be provided; and providing means for providing saidpreference information acquired by said first acquiring means and saiddestination-of-provision information acquired by said second acquiringmeans, to another information processing apparatus.
 4. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said providing meanssends and registers said preference information anddestination-of-provision information to first another informationprocessing apparatus of said other information processing apparatusesthrough said network, and causes said first other information processingapparatus to provide through said network said preference information tosaid second other information processing apparatus of said otherinformation processing apparatuses defined: by saiddestination-of-provision information.
 5. The information processingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first acquiring means startto acquire preference information about a to-be-aired program dependingupon a user's operation representing a preference of a predeterminedprogram.
 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,wherein said user's operation representing a preference of apredetermined program is an operation of scheduling for recording orprotection.
 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim5, wherein said first acquiring means acquires information of apreference keyword, genre, airing time zone and broadcast stationextracted from detail information of said program depending upon saiduser's operation representing a preference of a predetermined program,as preference information from broadcast program information.
 8. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 7, furthercomprising receiving means for receiving said broadcast programinformation from a broadcast station through a broadcast radio wave orfrom said server through said network.
 9. The information processingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second acquiring meansacquires said destination-of-provision information in plurality.
 10. Aninformation processing method for an information processing apparatus,said information processing method characterized by comprising: a firstacquiring step of acquiring preference information about a to-be-airedprogram based on a user's preference; a second acquiring step ofacquiring destination-of-provision information specifying adestination-of-provision the preference information is to be provided;and a providing step of providing said preference information acquiredby a process of said first acquiring step and saiddestination-of-provision information acquired by a process of saidsecond acquiring step, to another information processing apparatus. 11.A recording medium recording a computer-readable program that theprogram is for an information processing apparatus, characterized bycomprising: a first acquiring step of acquiring preference informationabout a to-be-aired program based on a user's preference; a secondacquiring step of acquiring destination-of-provision informationspecifying a destination-of-provision said preference information is tobe provided; and a providing step of providing said preferenceinformation acquired by a process of said first acquiring step and saiddestination-of-provision information acquired by a process of saidsecond acquiring step, to another information processing apparatus. 12.A program causing a computer for control of an information processingapparatus to execute: a first acquiring step of acquiring preferenceinformation about a to-be-aired program based on a user's preference; asecond acquiring step of acquiring destination-of-provision informationspecifying a destination-of-provision said preference information is tobe provided; and a providing step of providing said preferenceinformation acquired by a process of said first acquiring step and saiddestination-of-provision information acquired by a process of saidsecond acquiring step, to another information processing apparatus. 13.An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising: accessmeans for accessing another information processing apparatus through anetwork; receiving means for receiving preference information about ato-be-aired program from said other information processing apparatusaccessed through said network; storage means for storing said preferenceinformation received from said other information processing apparatus;and scheduled recording means for recording said program by scheduling,on the basis of said preference information stored by said storagemeans.
 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13,further comprising first acquiring means for acquiring designationinformation for designating a predetermined piece of preferenceinformation from a plurality of pieces of said preference informationreceived from said other information processing apparatus; andtransmitting means for sending said designation information acquired bysaid first acquiring means to said other information processingapparatus through said network; whereby said receiving means receivessaid preference information sent from said other information processingapparatus through said network and corresponding to said designationinformation sent by said transmitting means, and said storage meansstores said preference information corresponding to said designationinformation sent by said transmitting means.
 15. An informationprocessing method for an information processing apparatus characterizedby comprising: an access step of accessing another informationprocessing apparatus through a network; a receiving step of receivingpreference information about a to-be-aired program from said otherinformation processing apparatus accessed through said network; astorage step of storing said preference information received from saidother information processing apparatus; and a scheduled recording stepof recording said program by scheduling, on the basis of said preferenceinformation stored by a process of the storage step.
 16. A recordingmedium recording a computer-readable program that said program is for aninformation processing apparatus, characterized by comprising: an accessstep of accessing another information processing apparatus through anetwork; a receiving step of receiving preference information about ato-be-aired program, from said other information processing apparatusaccessed through said network; a storage step of storing said preferenceinformation received from said other information processing apparatus;and a scheduled recording step of recording said program by scheduling,on the basis of said preference information stored by a process of saidstorage step.
 17. A program causing a computer for taking control of aninformation processing apparatus to execute: an access step of accessinganother information processing apparatus through a network; a receivingstep of receiving preference information about a to-be-aired program,from said other information processing apparatus accessed through saidnetwork; a storage step of storing the preference information receivedfrom said other information processing apparatus; and a scheduledrecording step of recording said program by scheduling, on the basis ofsaid preference information stored by a process of said storage step.18. An information processing apparatus connected to a network togetherwith first another information processing apparatus and second anotherinformation processing apparatus for exchanging information with saidfirst other information processing apparatus, and for taking control ofinformation exchange between said first other information processingapparatus and said second other information processing apparatus, saidinformation processing apparatus characterized by comprising: firstaccepting means for accepting an access by said first other informationprocessing apparatus through said network; receiving means for receivingpreference information about a to-be-aired program sent from said firstother information processing apparatus whose access has been accepted bysaid first accepting means and destination-of-provision informationspecifying a destination-of-provision the preference information is tobe provided; registering means for registering said preferenceinformation and destination-of-provision information received by saidreceiving means; second accepting means for accepting an access by saidsecond other information processing apparatus through said network;determining means for determining whether or not said second informationprocessing apparatus whose access has been accepted by said secondaccepting means is said destination of provision said preferenceinformation is to be provided; and first transmitting means for sendingsaid preference information registered in said registering means to saidsecond information processing apparatus through said network in a casesaid determining means has determined that said second other informationprocessing apparatus whose access has been accepted by said secondaccepting means is said destination-of-provision said preferenceinformation is to be provided.
 19. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 18, further comprising acquiring means for acquiring,from said second other information processing apparatus through saidnetwork, designation information designating a predetermined preferenceinformation from a plurality of pieces of said preference informationsent by said first transmitting means; and second transmitting means forsending said preference information corresponding to said designationinformation acquired by said acquiring means, to said second informationprocessing apparatus through said network.
 20. An information processingmethod for an information processing apparatus connected to a networktogether with first another information processing apparatus and secondanother information processing apparatus for exchanging information withsaid first other information processing apparatus, and for takingcontrol of information exchange between said first other informationprocessing apparatus and said second other information processingapparatus, said information processing method characterized bycomprising: a first accepting step of accepting an access by said firstother information processing apparatus through said network; a receivingstep of receiving preference information about a to-be-aired programsent from said first other information processing apparatus whose accesshas been accepted by a process of said first accepting step anddestination-of-provision information specifying adestination-of-provision said preference information is to be provided;a registering step of registering said preference information anddestination-of-provision information received by a process of saidreceiving step; a second accepting step of accepting an access by saidsecond other information processing apparatus through said network; adetermining step of determining whether or not said second informationprocessing apparatus whose access has been accepted by a process of saidsecond accepting step is the destination of provision said preferenceinformation is to be provided; and a transmitting step of sending thepreference information registered in a process of said registering stepto said second other information processing apparatus through saidnetwork in a case a process of said determining step has determined thatsaid second other information processing apparatus whose access has beenaccepted by a process of said second accepting step is said destinationof provision said preference information is to be provided.
 21. Arecording medium recording a computer-readable program that said programis for an information processing apparatus connected to a networktogether with first another information processing apparatus and secondanother information processing apparatus for exchanging information withsaid first other information processing apparatus, and for takingcontrol of information exchange between said first other informationprocessing apparatus and said second other information processingapparatus, characterized by including: a first accepting step ofaccepting an access by said first other information processing apparatusthrough said network; a receiving step of receiving preferenceinformation about a to-be-aired program sent from said first otherinformation processing apparatus whose access has been accepted by aprocess of said first accepting step and destination-of-provisioninformation specifying a destination-of-provision said preferenceinformation is to be provided; a registering step of registering saidpreference information and destination-of-provision information receivedby a process of said receiving step; a second accepting step ofaccepting an access by said second other information processingapparatus through said network; a determining step of determiningwhether or not said second information processing apparatus whose accesshas been accepted by a process of said second accepting step is thedestination of provision said preference information is to be provided;and a transmitting step of sending said preference informationregistered in a process of said registering step to said second otherinformation processing apparatus through said network in a case aprocess of said determining step has determined that said second otherinformation processing apparatus whose access has been accepted by aprocess of said second accepting step is said destination of provisionsaid preference information is to be provided.
 22. A program causing acomputer, connected to a network together with first another informationprocessing apparatus and second another information processing apparatusfor exchanging information with said first other information processingapparatus and for taking control of information exchange between saidfirst other information processing apparatus and said second otherinformation processing apparatus, to execute: a first accepting step ofaccepting an access by said first other information processing apparatusthrough said network; a receiving step of receiving preferenceinformation about a to-be-aired program sent from said first otherinformation processing apparatus whose access has been accepted by aprocess of said first accepting step and destination-of-provisioninformation specifying a destination-of-provision said preferenceinformation is to be provided; a registering step of registering saidpreference information and destination-of-provision information receivedby a process of said receiving step; a second accepting step ofaccepting an access by said second other information processingapparatus through said network; a determining step of determiningwhether or not said second information processing apparatus whose accesshas been accepted by a process of said second accepting step is thedestination of provision said preference information is to be provided;and a transmitting step of sending said preference informationregistered in a process of said registering step to said second otherinformation processing apparatus through said network in a case aprocess of said determining step has determined that said second otherinformation processing apparatus whose access has been accepted by aprocess of said second accepting step is said destination-of-provisionsaid preference information is to be provided.